1770

1770 - Captain James Cook landed at Botany Bay (29/4/1770).

 1770 – Captain James Cook  discovered Port Jackson (7/5/1770).

 1770 – Captain James Cook took possession of the eastern coast of Australia (the part that had been given to Spain under the Treaty of Saragossa in 1529) (22/8/1770).

See Chronology [Timeline] of the Discovery and Exploration of Botany Bay [String Ray Harbour], Sydney by Captain James Cook

 
Captain James Cook
1728 - 1779

1774

1774 – Captain James Cook discovered Norfolk Island.

1775

1775 - Transportation of British convicts to American colonies ceased as a result of the American War of Independence.

1776

1776 – American Declaration of Independence.

1784

1784 – A British Parliamentary Committee began to enquire into transportation.

1786

1786 – The colony of New South Wales was proclaimed by King George III.

1787

1787 – Lord Sydney agreed to send convicts to New South Wales (23/1/1787).

 1787 – First Fleet dispatched (May 1787).

1788

1788 - Arrival of First Fleet with convicts at Botany Bay (18/1/1788). Governor Phillip moved the fleet north to Port Jackson to found the settlement of Sydney (21/1/1788). Phillip took possession of eastern Australia for Britain (26/1/1788).

1788 - Arrival of French explorer, La Perouse, at Botany Bay (23/1/1788).

1788 – Arrival of convict ships Alexander; Charlotte; Friendship; Lady Penrhyn, Scarborough; Prince of Wales at Port Jackson (16/1/1788) (First Fleet).

1788 – Rev. Richard Johnson conducted first church service (3/2/1788).

1788 – Colony of New South Wales formally proclaimed and Governor’s Commission read (7/2/1788).

1788 – Lieutenant Philip Gidley King left Sydney in the brig ‘Supply’ to establish a settlement at Norfolk Island (14/2/1788).

1788 – Governor Phillip and party set out to find new area suitable for crops (at present day Parramatta) (24/4/1788).

1788 – Settlement of Rose Hill founded (later renamed Parramatta) (2/11/1788).

1788 – The construction of the first fortified position in the new colony at Point Maskelyne (later renamed Dawes Point), supervised by Lieutenant William Dawes.

1788 – Discovery of Lord Howe Island by Lieutenant Henry Lidgbird Ball.

 
Arthur Phillip
1738 - 1814

Click here for an in-depth Chronology of the English First Fleet arrival at Botany Bay and subsequent settlement of Sydney Cove in Port Jackson 

Jean - François de Galaup
La Perouse
1741 - 1788

1789

1789 - Outbreak of smallpox among the Aborigines.

1789 – James Ruse established his farm at Parramatta (1/11/1789).

1789 – Commencement of the first road track in colony from Sydney town to Parramatta. Finished in 1791.

1789 – Captain Watkin Tench discovered the Nepean River.

1789 – Establishment of New South Wales Corps.

1789 – Lieutenant King appointed Lieutenant-Governor of the Norfolk Island settlement.

1789 – Bennelong, the Aborigine, was taken prisoner.

"1789 - Governor Phillip creates a Night Watch which commences duty on 8 August. Four three-man convict patrols guard Sydney Town. A Row Boat Guard is also quickly established on Sydney Harbour." (Source:Thin Blue Line)

Bligh's Send Off by Robert Dodd, 1790

1789 – Bounty crew mutineers (28/4/1789).

Bennelong
1764? - 1813

1790

1790 – First detachment of NSW Corps arrived.

1790 - Sydney affected by food shortages (for next four years).

1790 – Sirius wrecked off Norfolk Island.

1790 – Governor Phillip speared in the shoulder by an Aborigine.

1790 – Arrival of convict ship Lady Juliana (3/6/1790) (Second Fleet).

1790 – Arrival of convict ship Surprise (26/6/1790) (Second Fleet).

1790 – Arrival of convict ship Neptune (28/6/1790) (second fleet).

1790 – Arrival of convict ship Scarborough (28/6/1790) (second fleet).

1790 – Bounty crew arrived at Pitcairn Island (15/1/1790).

1791

1791 - First land grant of 30 acres made to ex-convict, James Ruse (Experiment Farm) (30/3/1791).

1791 – Rose Hill renamed Parramatta (4/6/1791).

1791 – Military Barracks completed at Parramatta (May 1791).

1791 – Rev. Richard Johnson conducted the first Church of England  service at Parramatta.

1791 – Public protest after reduction of rations.

1791 – Arrival of convict ship Mary Ann (9/7/1791).

1791 – Arrival of convict ship Matilda (1/8/1791) (Third Fleet).

1791 – Arrival of convict ship Atlantic (20/8/1791) (Third Fleet).

1791 – Arrival of convict ship Salamander (21/88/1791) (third fleet).

1791 – Arrival of convict ship William and Ann (28/8/1791) (Third Fleet).

1791 – Arrival of convict ship Gorgon (21/9/1791) (Third Fleet).

1791 – Arrival of convict ship Active (26/9/1791) (Third Fleet).

1791 – Arrival of convict ship Queen (26/9/1791 (Third Fleet) (first convicts from Ireland).

1791 – Arrival of convict ship Albermarle (13/10/1791) (Third Fleet).

1791 – Arrival of convict ship Britannia (14/10/1791) (Third Fleet).

1791 – Arrival of convict ship Admiral Barrington (16/10/1791) (Third Fleet).

 
James Ruse, Experiment Farm Cottage

1792

1792 - First American trading ships reach Sydney.

1792 – First survey map of the settlement prepared & signed by Governor Phillip (2/12/1792).

1792 – Ground for Sydney Burial Cemetery selected by Governor Phillip and Rev. Richard Johnson (site of Central Station)

1792 – Governor Phillip departs for England with the remainder of the NSW Marine Corps on the Atlantic.

1792 – NSW Corps begins trade monopoly.

1792 – Arrival of convict ship Pitt (14/2/1792).

1792 – Arrival of convict ship Royal Admiral (7/10/1792).

1792 – Arrival of convict ship Kitty (18/11/1792).

Antoine-Joseph-Bruny d’Entrecasteaux
1737-1793

1792 - The French navigator Antoine D’Entrecasteaux explored the southern coast of Australia and Tasmania.

1793

1793 - Arrival of the first free settlers from England. First sheep arrived in Australia.

1793 – Elizabeth Farm House built at Parramatta on 100 acres grant of John Macarthur.

1793 – First official Church School opened in Sydney.

1793 – Rev. Richard Johnson conducted first Church of England service in church built on corner of Hunter and Castlereagh Streets, Sydney.

1793 – Colonel Paterson surveyed Grose River.

1793 – Arrival of convict ship Bellona (16/1/1793).

1793 – Arrival of convict ship Boddingtons (7/8/1793).

1793 – Arrival of convict ship Sugar Cane (17/9/1793).

 
John Macarthur
1767 - 1834

1794

1794 – First road constructed to Parramatta.

1794 – Old Windsor Road (Hawkesbury Road) developed from Toongabbie Government Farm to the Hawkesbury River using convict labour.

1794 – Lieutenant-Governor Grose replaced as administrator of the Colony by Captain William Paterson of the NSW Corps.

1794 – Henry Hacking attempted to cross the Blue Mountains.

1794 – Arrival of convict ship Surprise (15/10/1794).

 
Francis Grose
1758? - 1814

1795

1795 - First printing press established in Australia.

1795 – Horses from Cape of Good Hope arrive in Sydney.

1795 – Massive floods of the Hawkesbury River.

1795 – Port Stephens surveyed by Assistant Surveyor-General.

1795 – Governor John Hunter arrived in Sydney on the Reliance.

Matthew Flinders
1774 - 1814

1795 – Bass and Flinders commence voyages in the ‘Tom Thumb’.

1796

1796 – First theatrical performance at The Theatre, Sydney.

1796 – A naval dockyard is established at Sydney Cove.

1796 – First Parramatta Gaol constructed (on site of Prince Alfred Park).

1796 – Bushranger, ‘Black Caeser’ shot dead.

1796 – George Bass attempted to cross the Blue Mountains.

1796 – Rev. Samuel Marsden opened first Church of England Church at Parramatta.

1796 – Arrival of convict ship Marquis Cornwallis (11/2/1796).

1796 – Arrival of convict ship Indispensible (30/4/1796).

 
Rev Samuel Marsden
1765 - 1838

1797

1797 - Lieutenant John Shortland discovered the Hunter River (called Coal River) and coal outcrops.

1797 – Parramatta Female Factory established.

1797 – Shoalhaven River discovered by George Bass.

1797 – Arrival of convict ship Britannia (27/5/1797).

1797 – Arrival of convict ship Ganges (2/6/1797).

George Bass
1771 - 1803

1797 – George Bass set out from Port Jackson in the ‘Tom Thumb’ with 6 volunteers.

1798

1798 – Arrival of convict ship Barwell (18/5/1798).

1797 – Arrival of convict ship Britannia (18/7/1798).

1798 - George Bass and Matthew Flinders sailed around Van Diemens Land (Tasmania) and proved it was an island.

1799

1799 - First coal exported from the Hunter.

1799 – First part of old Government House at Parramatta built.

1799 – Campbell & Co. trading company established on western shore of Sydney Cove.

1799 – Floods at the Hawkesbury River.

1798 – Arrival of convict ship Hillsborough (26/7/1799).

1800

1800 - First issue of government copper coins in New South Wales.

1800 - William Reid discovered the entrance to Lake Macquarie.

1800 – Major Joseph Foveaux appointed Acting Lieutenant Governor of Norfolk Island.

1800 – Captain Philip Gidley King replaces John Hunter as Governor (28/9/1800).

1800 – Arrival of convict ship Minerva (11/1/1800).

1800 – Arrival of convict ship Friendship (16/2/1800).

1800 – Arrival of convict ship Speedy (15/4/1800).

1800 – Arrival of convict ship Royal Admiral (20/11/1800).

 
Philip Gidley King
1758 - 1808

1801

1801 – Toongabbie Road (Junction Road) was made from Toongabbie Government Farm to Baulkham Hills and then Castle Hill Road (Old Northern Road) was built to the new Castle Hill Government Farm.

1801 – First local certificate of competence as a medical practitioner was issued by an official Colonial Medical Service panel to William Redfern.

1801 – Storehouse & private wharf erected by Robert Campbell.

1801 – Penal station is established at Newcastle to mine coal.

1801 – Exploration party proceeded up the Hunter River.

1801 – Female Orphan School established at George Street, Sydney.

1801 – Government Farm established at Castle Hill.

1801 – Floods on the Hawkesbury River.

1801 – Ticket of Leave System for convicts introduced.

1801 – Arrival of convict ship Anne (or Luz St. Anna) (21/2/1801).

1801 – Arrival of convict ship Earl Cornwallis (12/6/1801).

1801 – Arrival of convict ship Canada (14/12/1801).

1801 – Arrival of convict ship Minorca (14/12/1801).

1801 – Arrival of convict ship Nile (14/12/1801).

Nicholas Thomas Baudin
1754 - 1803

1801-03 - The French navigator Nicholas Baudin explored parts of the southern and northern Australian coasts.

William Redfern
1774 - 1833

1802

1802 - Penal establishment established at Hunter River.

1802 - First cedar cut for export from the Hunter River.

1802 – George Caley attempted to cross the Blue Mountains.

1802 – Francis Barrallier attempted to cross the Blue Mountains.

1802 – Arrival of convict ship Coromandel (13/6/1802).

1802 – Arrival of convict ship Hercules (26/6/1802).

1802 – Arrival of convict ship Atlas (7/7/1802).

1802 – Arrival of convict ship Perseus (4/8/1802).

1802 – Arrival of convict ship Atlas (30/10/1802).

1802 - Lieutenant John Murray discovers Port Phillip.

1802 - Lieutenant Charles Robbins lands on King Island and proclaims Van Diemens Land a British possession

1803

1803 - First newspaper ‘Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser’ published.

1803 – First St. John’s Church opened at Parramatta (11/4/1803).

1803 - First authorised Roman Catholic mass celebrated by Rev. James Dixon at Parramatta (15/5/1803).

1803 – Postal service commenced between Sydney and Parramatta.

1803 – Governor King forbad further access to the Southern Highlands and it was an offence to travel past the Cow Pastures (now Camden).

1803 – Stone convict barracks constructed at Government Farm, Castle Hill.

1803 – Arrival of convict ship Glatton (11/3/1803).

1803 – Arrival of convict ship Rolla (12/5/1803).

1803 – Arrival of convict ship Calcutta (9/10/1803).

1803 - Matthew Flinders completed sailing around the Australian mainland (9 June).

1803 – Matthew Flinders imprisoned in Mauritius.

1803 – First settlement made at Risdon in Van Diemens Land when Lieutenant John Bowen landed about 50 persons (including 24 convicts) there. Site abandoned in August 1804.

1803 – Charles Grimes, Surveyor-General, explored the site of Melbourne.